Category Archives: UserGuide

The app requires Android 4.3 and that your device support bluetooth 4. If your device has Android 4.3 or higher, but the app does not show up in the Google play store, this means the Google Play store thinks your device isn’t compatible (so it’s hiding the app). The most likely guess is that the Google Play store thinks your device doesn’t have bluetooth 4.

The version of Android that is on your device is software written by the device manufacturer. Sometimes these companies release a software update that isn’t quite up to spec, which might cause the Google Play store to decide there is a compatibility issue. Eventually someone complains about the issue, and the company will release a software update. First step is you should check and see if your device has a software update available. You will find a useful article on this in the Android section of e-zapptraincontrol.com.

You might also want to try visiting this direct link to E-Z App® and see if maybe there was just a temporary glitch in the Google play store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bachmanntrains.ezapp

If none of this works, your best solution is to contact the manufacturer of your device, tell them the model number (model XX) and that you have the latest version of Android available (version XX), and notify them that apps requiring bluetooth4 are not displaying in the Google Play store. Your device manufacturer will need to release a software update that corrects the issue in your device.

Its easy to consist locos with Bachmann E-Z App®. This function is currently only available in iOS. Please read these instructions all the way through (including information about speed matching) before consisting.

HOW TO SETUP A CONSIST

STEP 1: Connect 2 or more E-Z App® locos together. Your locos may be facing either the same direction, or in opposite directions. Your locos may also be directly coupled, or positioned in different parts of a train (front, mid, back).

STEP 2: From the home screen of the E-Z App® you should see all trains are connected (with the loco name displayed in white text, and a green button to the right that says “disconnect”). Click the “Multi-Train” button at the bottom of the screen.

STEP 3: Make sure all consisted trains are running (you may need to hit the “startup” button). On the lead loco, press the “consist” button just beneath the throttle (it has a graphic of a chain link beneath it). You will see 4 consist groups available (A,B,C,D). Assign your lead loco to an available consist (for example “A”). Proceed to the second loco and also assign it to consist A. You will notice that the controls for your second loco disappear from the screen. Do the same for any remaining locos in the consist.

Above the throttle you will now see 2 green pulldowns:

LOCO POSITION: This will display either “Rear Loco” or “Mid Loco”. If you are consisting 2 locos, the pulldown should say “Rear Loco” by default. Locos assigned “Mid Loco” will have no lights. Loco’s assigned “Rear Loco” will have functioning Rear Loco lights.

LOCO FACING DIRECTION: This will display “Facing Forward” or “Facing Backward”. If this does not match the orientation of your loco, please change it.

You may now operate your train as a consist by controlling the lead locomotive (speed, direction, lights, sound).

MAKE LEAD: If your layout is point to point, and your train has reached one end, and now needs to travel in the opposite direction, you may use the “Make Lead” button on the rear loco to change the rear loco into the lead loco. Now all controls (speed, lights, direction, sound) will appear on the new lead loco.

SPEED MATCHING

It is important (and easy) to “speed match” your E-Z App® locos that you plan to run in consist. Please view the tutorial video on E-ZAppTrainControl.com for simple step-by-step instructions.

When operating the throttle in DC mode, you may notice a slight delay when starting your train with the throttle in the OFF position. The board in the loco doesn’t activate until your throttle reaches approximately 15% throttle power. To avoid this delay, only bring your throttle down to the 15% mark when stopping your train. This will allow the board to remain powered up, and avoid any initial lag.

The train flashes its headlight to alert you of power issues. If you notice your headlight blinks during slow speed operation, try cleaning your track for improved conductivity. This “blinking light” alert has a sensitivity setting which will be adjusted through future firmware updates.

The first time you put your train on the track, your train will move when given power. This is because your train defaults to “DC mode” which does not require a smart device to operate. Once you connect to your train for the first time, the train switches to “bluetooth mode” and can now be controlled by the app.

If you think you have setup everything correctly, and cannot see your train, there are several possible issues to check:

Does your train have power? Check to see that your layout is receiving power.

Do NOT pair with train from settings >> bluetooth. When you connect to a bluetooth train, it becomes unavailable to other applications and devices. For this reason, do NOT pair with your train from settings >> bluetooth (as you may be used to with other bluetooth devices). Doing so will make the train unavailable in E-Z® App. It is ok to use settings >> bluetooth to test if your train is available and try connecting to it, but you will need to hit disconnect in order to see the train in the E-Z® App control app.

Is your train connected to another app or smart device? When a smart device (like a smartphone or tablet) connects to an E-Z App® train, that train becomes invisible to other users. If your train is receiving power and you still cannot see it listed on your Home screen, check to see that the train is not connected to another smart device in range that is running E-Z App®. The best way to rule this out is to temporarily cut power to the locomotive for 30 seconds. The train should become available in the Home screen once the board within the train has powered back up.

Is bluetooth working properly on your smart device? Bluetooth operates fairly consistently on modern smart phones, but on rare occasions the bluetooth service in a smart phone may act up. This can generally be resolved by temporarily switching off bluetooth in your smart device and rebooting the smart phone.

Is my Android software up to date? On Android it is always very important that your Android is up to date (with the latest software update available). Please refer to our Android Page for info on how to do this.

Clearing the bluetooth cache on your Android. Sometimes Android bluetooth issues can be resolved by clearing the bluetooth cache. This procedure may be slightly different on different Androids.

Is your phone/tablet bluetooth smart? Assuming this is your first time operating trains with a certain smart device, check to make sure your smart device supports bluetooth smart.

Connection issues on Androids running Marshmallow (6)? Android 6 (Marshmallow) is compatible with E-Z App®. However, due to changes in Bluetooth permissions with Android 6, the app may not be able to detect the E-Z App® trains properly. To resolve this issue, go to Settings in the OS–> Location and turn on location services. Your E-Z App® trains will now be detected properly in the app. This may require a wi-fi or cellular connection on certain devices..

When new firmware is available for your train, the app will alert you (with a yellow exclamation point) and walk you through updating your train. The process should take 2-3 minutes. During this time, keep your loco powered up, and your smart device near the loco. When the process is complete your loco will have new features.

Your train can be operated by any compatible smart device running the Bachmann E-Z App®. To make your train available for use on another smart device, hit the “disconnect” button for that train (on the Home screen). After a few seconds, the train will become listed as “available” on any smart device within range running the Bachmann E-Z App®.

(Note – your E-Z App® train can only connect to one device at a time. If you do not see your train available, make sure it is not connected to another device running the Bachmann E-Z App®.

Bachmann trains in partnership with BlueRail Trains has developed a bluetooth smart control system to allow you to directly control model trains from your Bluetooth Smart Smartphone or tablet without any additional equipment.